Memorial hosts Governor General

Governor
General Michaëlle Jean was on Memorial's St. John’s
campus last month, hosting a youth dialogue in the Inco Innovation
Centre. Greeting her was President Gary Kachanoski, Premier Danny
Williams and Dr. Rob Shea, dean of Student Affairs. On Tuesday, the
Governor General and her family also visited the Marine Institute's
Centre for Marine Simulation.

By Darcy MacRae

Governor General Michäelle Jean visited the Fisheries and
Marine Institute (MI) and the St. John’s campus last month as
part of her week-long tour of the province.

Together with her husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and daughter
Marie-Éden Lafond, Gov. Gen. Jean visited the Centre for
Marine Simulation (CMS). Capt. Christopher Hearn, director, CMS,
escorted the Governor General and her family onto the Marine
Institute’s full-motion, full-mission ship bridge simulator
where they enjoyed a virtual tour of St. John’s Harbour.

“Our full-motion, full-mission bridge simulator is one of
only two of its kind in the world and is a key tool in a number of
important and ground breaking research projects currently underway
at MI. It was rewarding to see the Governor General take such an
interest in a significant piece of Marine Institute
infrastructure,” said Glenn Blackwood, executive director of
the Marine Institute.
Gov. Gen. Jean, her husband and daughter also took time to sign the
formal Memorial University Visitor’s Book in the CMS briefing
room.

“We were very happy to have Gov. Gen. Jean visit the Marine
Institute during her visit to Newfoundland and Labrador and we want
to thank her and her family for choosing MI as one of their early
destinations,” said Mr. Blackwood.
The Governor General also enjoyed a brief greeting from the
officers of the Canadian Forces Naval Engineering School –
St. John’s detachment, located at the Marine Institute.

“It was a pleasure to give her a tour of MI and an overview
of the Institute’s capabilities. It was only fitting she had
the opportunity to meet the Navy officers of the Marine Institute
detachment since Gov. Gen. Jean is the Commander-in-Chief of the
Canadian Forces.”

While the Governor General later moved on to her agenda in the
capital city, her husband and daughter continued their tour,
visiting the Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Resources’ Flume
Tank, the largest flume tank on the planet. The pair were treated
to a demonstration of a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) in the
flume tank before then having the opportunity to pilot the ROV
themselves.
“We wanted to provide the Governor General and her family
with a good display of the research and education potential that
exists at the Marine Institute,” Mr. Blackwood said.
“We were greatly impressed with her knowledge of the ocean
and marine sector and would welcome another visit from her and her
family in the future.”

While in the province, she took part in the unveiling of a
sculpture dedicated to the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and
visited Labrador where she travelled to Red Bay, Battle Harbour,
Mary's Harbour, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, North West River and
Sheshatshiu.